THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is locating the alleged daughter of the suicide bombers responsible for the blasts at the Jolo cathedral on January 27.
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said the 10-year-old daughter of the couple responsible for the twin bombings at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu could be the key in identifying the suicide bombers.
The twin blasts killed 23 people and injured 95 others.
Albayalde said if they find the daughter, they will conduct a DNA test to determine if her DNA matches that of the body parts -- two pairs of unclaimed feet -- found in the crime scene.
Albayalde said it is important to find the child, as she has the potential to also become a suicide bomber just like her parents.
Earlier, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, former chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that according to his sources, the couple has left their 10-year-old daughter in Sulu.
On Tuesday, February 19, authorities said the two pairs of feet, which came from a man and a woman, did not match the DNA of those who died in the blasts. This strengthens the theory that the bombings were perpetrated by suicide bombers.
Albayalde said the pair of feet that came from a woman matched the DNA taken from a part of the neck recovered from the crime scene.
Police and military officials said all the fatalities in the blasts were all accounted for.
Albayalde said investigators are coordinating with their counterparts, particularly from Indonesia, for the ongoing probe, as there were reports that the suicide bombers were Indonesian nationals. (SunStar Philippines)